How Do Concentrations Work in College?

I'm planning my college applications and came across the term 'concentration,' which I don't fully understand. How does a concentration differ from a major or a minor? Can someone give a breakdown of how concentrations work and how they might affect my college education or career path? I'm curious about whether it's something I should seriously consider when selecting schools.

Understanding how different components of an academic program like major, minor, and concentration work is crucial to optimizing your college experience. So, it's great that you're asking this question!

A concentration, in terms of academia, is a specific area of study within a major. The concept functions similarly to a specialization. For instance, if your major is Business Administration, you might select a concentration in Marketing, Human Resources, or Operations Management. These concentrations would include more specialized, in-depth courses relating to that specific area of business.

So, while a major is the primary area of study a student chooses to focus on throughout their undergraduate career, a concentration narrows this focus even further. This tailored suite of classes provides more specialized knowledge and preparation in a specific aspect of the major.

A minor, on the other hand, is a secondary area of interest that requires fewer courses than the major and is usually separate from the major, offering a chance to broaden your knowledge in another field entirely.

Concentrations can impact your career path by equipping you with deep skills in a particular area of your major. If you're leaning towards a specific career within your major, a concentration might make you a more attractive candidate. For example, a concentration in digital marketing within a business administration major would be very appealing if you're aiming for a career in online advertising.

That being said, concentrations vary school by school, and some schools might not offer concentrations for certain majors. So, when selecting schools, it could benefit you to check whether they offer concentrations in the particular major you're interested in pursuing. It’s also helpful to remember that while concentrations can provide in-depth knowledge, the breadth of knowledge gained from your major is also valuable and can provide flexibility in your career path.